Laundry machine



July 3, 192s. 1,675,398

A. S. WISE LAUNDRY MACHINE Original Filed May 22, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR /7//9/7 5 ll/f'se.

ATTORNEY July 3, 1928. 1,675,398

- A.. s. wlsE LAUNDRY MACHINE original Filed May 22, 1924 4 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR //w 5f M3@ July 3, 1928.

A. s. WISE LAUNDRY MACHINE Original Filed May 22, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR len S. fl/6.

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY July 3, 1928. 1,675,398

' A. s. wlsE LAUNDRY MACHINE Original Filed May 22,l 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @Kill WITNESSES: INVENT ,7//e/f 5 Msg.

f Y7%\ MW ATTOR NEY `Patented July 3, 1928.

UNITED STATES 'PATENT OFFICE.

ALLEN S. WISE, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELEC- TRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY,

A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

LAUNDRY MACHINE.

Application led May 22, 1924, Serial No. 715,105: Renewed November 28, 1927.

My invention relates to laundering machines and has special relation to ironing machines. It pertains to machines of the type illustrated and described in'my application Serial No. 715,106, filed May 22, 1924, and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric t Manufacturing Company.

The primaryobject 'of my invention is to provide a laundering machine of the type in which one laundering member is moved relatively to another by a motor, with means for limiting the load imposed on the motor.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of the character stated with l5 a device which tends to render the load on the motor constant during operation, notwithstanding the introduction of articles to be laundered which have a varying coetiicient of friction.

A further object of my invention is to provide a machine of the character stated which shall be adjustable by an operator to vary the limit of the load imposed on the motor.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a machine of the character stated with a device for limiting the load on a motor which shall be adjustable to increase or decrease the load and, at the same time, increase or decrease the pressure between two laundering membersI which cooperate to effect a direct laundering action upon articles to` be laundered.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a machine of the character stated in which the conditionsrof operation are such that a motor of minimum power may be utilized for the effective accomplishment of laundering functions.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an especially simple and inexpensive machine of the type in which a motor moves a laundering member into cooperative relation with another launderingl member for direct action upon articles to be laimdered.

Reference is had to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view through an ironing machine constituting an embodiment of my invention, a roll and shoe being shown in dott-ed lines in their ironing or engaging positions,

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, showing the shoe and roll in' dotted lines in their separated positions,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine, and

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the machine.

Although the invention is capable of embodiment in various types of laundering machines, including wringers, mangles, and ironing machines, it is illustrated and described en'ibodied in an ironing machine comprising a roll 1, a shoe 2 and a motor 3.

The roll 1 is mounted for rotation on a pair of standards 4 and 5 and, for that purpose, is provided at one end with a spider 6 which receives a shaft 7, journaled in the standard 4.

A sprocket 8 is rigid with an end of the shaft 7 and the other end is provided with a pin 9 adapted to cooperate with a pair of plungers 10 slidable through apertures in the spider 6 and rigid with a clutch collar 11. The clutch collar 11 receives the end of an arm 13 of a bell crank pivoted on the standardl 4. A control handle 14 is pivoted on the other arm 15 of the bell crank and is apertured to receive the bent end of a link 16 which extends through an opening in a lever 17.

On one side of the lever 17, a shoe-compression spring 20 surrounds the link 16 and is retained in position by a nut 21. On the other side of the lever 17, a shoe-release spring 22 surrounds the link 16 and engages, at one end, a collar 23 on the link 16.

The lever 17 extends downwardly and is rigid with a rocking shaft 24 journaled in the standards 4 and 5 below which it projects and is secured `to a rod 25. The rod 25 extends substantiallyparallel to the rocking shaft 24, and, below and intermediate of the shoe 2, and is secured to the lower end of a rocking arm 26 which is rigid with the rocking shaft 24 and extends upwardly .to a

point centrally of the shoe 2 with which it has a pivotal connection at 27.

A lever 28 is pivotally secured to the rod 25 by means of a lug 30 and extends downwardly from the rod 25 to a point adjacent an adjusting screw 31 which is mounted in a lug 3 2 on the standard v4. To the upper end of the lever 28, a pin 33 is secured, from one end of which a brace 34 is inclined downwardly and is secured, at its lower end, to rod 25 and rocking arm 26. The brace 34 prevents angular movement of the lever 28 with respect to rod 25.

On the pin 33, a sprocket wheel 35 is mounted for rotation, and upon the pin an arm 36 is also mounted for rotative movement. The arm 36 extends downwardly and is rigid, at its lower end, with a casing 37 for reduction gearing (not shown) driven by the motor 3, the housing of the motor being rigid with the casing 37.

A sprocket wheel 38 is driven by the reduction gearing, and an endless sprocket chain 40 extends about the sprocket wheels 38, 35 and 8.

A spring 41 is compressed between the levers 28 and 17 and is held in position by a rod 42 supported rigidly at one end by the lever 28 and passing freely at its other end through a hole in lever b17 An adjustment nut 43 is provided on the latter end for urging the lever 17 against the tension of the spring 41 and for regulating the tension of t e spring.

In the operation of the device, the shoe 2 is swung in and out by manual manipulation of the control lever 14, in a manner clearly described and illustrated in the application already referred to.

The movement of the lever 14 compresses the spring 20 and rocks lever 17 and rocking shaft 24, it also moves rod 25 rearwardly. The movement of the rocking shaft 24 and the rod 25 is communicated to the arm 26 and brings the shoe 2 in contact with the roll 1. Reverse movement of the handle 14 compresses the spring 22 and produces an opposite effect. The position of the lever 17 corresponds to the position of the shoe 2.

In the normal operation of the device, there is a slight contact between the adjusting screw 31 and the lever 28 when the shoe 2 is against the roll 1. When the machine is operated with the adjustin screw 31 retracted and out of contact wlth the lever 28, the device operates in the same manner as the machine described and illustrated in the application already referred to, with the distinction. that the levers 28 and 17 are not rigid w1th each other, as in the otherrcase, but the spring 41 is interposed between them, thus introducing an element of resiliency.

A's stated, the normal operation of the device 1s with the screw 31 in light contact with the lever 28 when the shoe 2 is against the roll 1. When the machine is operated under these conditions, there is a tendency for the tension on the chain 40 to remain constant, even when ironing articles of different coefficients of friction. If the machine is being operated to iron a garment of one coeiiicient of friction and a Garment of a higher coefficient of friction is introduced, the tension of the chain 40 will not rise for the reason that, if it were inclined to rise, the lever 28 would be moved forwardly. Since the lever 28 engages, at its lower end, with the screw 31, the rod 25 moves forwardly and shoe 2 and lever 17 are moved rearwardly, the lever 17 moying against the action of the spring 41. In other words, the urging forwardly of the lever 28 by the theoretical increased tension in the chain 40 is exactly counteracted by the urging rearwardly of the lever 17 through the connection of the levers 28 and 17. Since the lever 17, under these circumstances, would be ur ed rearwardly, the pressure between the s oe 2 and the roll 1 would decrease as this pressure is dependent upon the urging forwardly of the lever 17. The reduction of pressure would operate to decrease thertension of the chain 40 for the reason that less force would then be required to rotate the roll 1. It is apparent, therefore, that, upon the introduction of a garment of a higher coefficient of friction, the pressure would be decreased and there would be a tendency for the load to remain constant, since the load is the product of the coeiiicient of friction and the pressure, bearing friction and the like being prescinded from. The load on the motor is limited.

From the above itis obvious that, when the coefficient of friction of articles being laundered is lowered the shoe pressure will rise.

Pressure tending to urge the lever 28 forwardly is taken up by the adjusting screw 3l and is not transmitted in the same forward direction to the lever 17. A compen- `sating mechanism is therefore provided tending to limit the load on the motor and to maintain it constant.

If the adjusting screw 31 is advanced, it tends to move the upper end of the lever 17 rearwardly and, consequently, decreases the shoe pressure. It is, therefore, apparent that, by adjusting the screw 31 forwardly, the load on the motor is decreased.

When the roll 1 is being rotated, the reaction to the force necessary for rotation is exerted on the lever 28, tending to move it forwardly, the leverage connection between levers 28 and 17, when the lever 28 is in contact with the screw 31, operates to exert a force tending to move the lever 17 rearwardly. It is apparent, therefore, that it is the principle o reaction that brings about the reduction of pressure on increase in the coefiicientof friction.

`As the greater number of articles ironed are of thin material, the differences of thickness are unimportant and do not interfere with the operation of an ironing machine in the manner described.

In the application referred to above, it was explained how an effective ironing pressure is maintained at all times. This screw,

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as stated, is adjusted to a point where there is only a light Contact, under ordinary conditions.

A model of an ironing machine embodying the invention, the accompanying drawings of which are made to scale, operates successfully under ironing conditions.

The principles of the invention are applicable to laundry machines in general but have especial application to ironing` machines.

rlhe invention is' not limited to the details of construction, but the embodiment shown and described maybe extensively modified and varied Without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. Insteadof the shoe 2, a roll may be provided and in this and in similar respects, the invention has the same scope as that of the application previously referred to. Any drive functioning, after the manner of the chain 32 or any mechanism which, in its functioning to drive the roll, sets up a pressure or forceful reaction may be used. A substantial range of equivalence is contemplated.

I claim as my invention:

l. ln a laundering machine, the combination of a laundering member, a second laundering member adapted to cooperate With the first mentioned laundering member for direct action upon articles to be laundered, a motor Jfor moving said first mentioned laundering member and mechanical means for preventing the overloading of said motor.

2. In a laundering machine, the combination of a laundering member, a second laundering member adapted to cooperate With the first mentioned laundering member for direct action upon articles to be laundered, a motor for moving said first mentioned laundering member and mechanical meansv operative throughout the continuous movenient of said first mentioned laundering member by said motor to prevent the load on said motor from exceeding a predetermined value Without interrupting the continuous functioning of the motor.

3. In a laundering machine, the combination of a laundering member, a second laundering member adapted to cooperate With` the first mentioned laundering member for direct action upon articles to be laundered, a. motor, and means for compressing said first mentioned laundering member, against said second 'v mentioned laundering member, and for automatically varying the pressure ot said first mentioned laundering member on said second laundering member to prevent the overloading of said motor.

4f. In a laundering machine, the combination of a laundering member, a second laundering member ada ted to cooperate with the first mentioned aundering member for directaction upon articles to be laundered, a

motor for moving said first mentioned laundering member and means tending to maintain the-load on said motor constant.

5. In an ironing machine, the combination of a roll, a shoe, a motor for rotating said roll and means tending, throughout the continuous rotation of said roll by said motor to maintain the load on said motor constant.

6. In a laundering machine, the combination of a laundering member, a second laundering member adapted to cooperate With the first mentioned laundering member for direct action upon articles to be laundered, a motor for moving said first mentioned laundering member, means for pressing said second laundering member against said first mentioned laundering member and automatic means for varying the pressure of said second laundering member on said first mentioned laundering member to tend to maintain'the load on said motor constant.

7. In a laundering machine, the combination of a laundering member, a second laundering member adapted to cooperate with the lirst mentioned laundering member, for direct action upon articles to be laundered, a motor for moving said first mentioned laundering member and automatic means adjustable by an operator for determining the limit of load on said motor.

8. In a laundering machine, the combination of a laundering member, a second laundering member adapted to cooperate with the first mentioned laundering nember for direct action upon articles to be laundered, a 'motor for continuously moving said rst mentioned laundering member, automatic means operative throughout the movement ol said first mentioned laundering member by said motor, to prevent theload on said motor from passing beyond a predetermined point and operator-controlled means for varying said predetermined point.

9. In a launderin machine, the combination of av launderinfr member, a second laundering member adapted, to cooperate with the first mentioned laundering member for direct action upon articles to be laundered, a motor for moving said first mentioned laundering member, means tending to maintain the load on said motor constant and operator-manipulated means for varying the degree of load at Which said motor shall be maintained constant.

10. In a laundering machine, the combination of a laundering member, a. second laun-\ dering member adapted to cooperate with the first mentionedlaundering member for direct action upon articles lto be laundered, a motor for moving said first mentioned laundering member, and adjustable automatic mechanical means for limiting the load at which said motor shall be permitted to operate.

11. In a laundering machine, the combi-` nation of a launderi member, a second laundering member a apted to cooperate with the first mentioned laundering member for direct action upon articles to be laundered, a motor, means operated by said member for moving said first mentioned laundering member and operative through the reaction to the force exerted in moving said first mentioned laundering member to compress said second laundering member against said first mentioned laundering member and means tending to maintain the load on said motor constant.

12. In a laundering machine, the combination of a laundering member, a second laundering member adapted to cooperate with the first mentioned laundering member for direct action upon articles to be laundered, a motor, drive means for moving said iirst mentioned laundering member, a clutch for connecting said drive means to said first mentioned laundering member and means tending to maintain the load on said motor constant.

13. In a laundering machine, the combination of a laundering member, a second laundering member adapted to cooperate with the iirst mentioned laundering member for direct action upon articles to be laundered,

means for compressing said second laundering member against said first mentioned laundering member, means for moving said first mentioned laundering member and means operative on the greater resistance of said first mentioned laundering member to motion beyond an adjustable limit to decrease the compression of said second laundering member against said, first mentioned laundering member '14. In a laundering machine, the combination of a laundering member, a second laundering member adapted to cooperate with the first mentioned laundering member for direct action upon articles to be laundered, a motor, and means operated by said motor for moving said first mentioned laundering member and compressing said second laundering member against said first mentioned laundering member, said means being operative on increase of resistance beyond a fixed limit of said first mentioned laundering member to movement to decrease the pressure of said second laundering member thereagainst.

l5. In a laundering machine, the combination of a laundering member, a second laundering member adapted to be compressed against the first mentioned laundering member for laundering, a motor for moving said first mentioned laundering member, means operated by said motor for compressing said second laundering member against said first mentioned laundering member, said means being operative on increase above the normal load on the motor 'for automaticall decreaslng the compression of said secon launder- Lemans ing member against said first mentioned laundering member.

16. In a laundering machine, the combination of a laundering member, a second laundering member adapted to cooperate with the first mentioned laundering member for direct action upon articles to be laundered, a motor and means operated by said motor for moving said first mentioned laundering member, said means being operative through reaction to compress said second laundering member against said first mentioned laundering member and tending to maintain the load on said motor constant.

17. In a laundering machine, the combination of a laundering member, a second laundering member adapted to cooperate with the first mentioned laundering member for direct action upon articles to be laundered, a motor, means operative by said motor for moving said first mentioned laundering member and operative, through reaction to the force tending to move said first mentioned laundering member, to press said second laundering member against said first mentioned laundering member, said means being operative by reaction to reduce the pressure between said members when the load on said motor is increased above the normal load value.

18. In a laundering machine, the combination of a roll, a laundering member adapted to cooperate with said roll for laundering, a pivoted lever supporting said laundering member for movement toward and away from said roll and means coupled to said lever for exerting force thereon, for compressing said laundering member against said roll, said means being operative to decrease the pressure of said laundering member against said roll on abnormal resistance of said roll to rotation.

- i9. In a laundering machine, the combination of a roll, a laundering member adapted to cooperate with said roll for laundering, a shaft mounted for rotative movement, a lever rigid with said shaft and supporting said laundering member, a second lever rigidly seeured to said shaft at a point intermediate of the ends of said second lever, a third lever pivoted at a point intermediate of' the ends of said third lever to an end of said second lever and having its lower end eX- tending to a point adjacent to the other end of said lever, an adJusting screw adapted to engage an end of said third lever, a motor, a sprocket wheel driven by said motor, a second sprocket Wheel on the other end of said third lever, a drive sprocket wheel for rotating said roll, a chain extending about said sprocket Wheels and a spring interposed between an end of saidA second lever and an end of said third lever adjacent said second sprocket wheel 20. In a laundering machine, in combination a plurality of ironing members disposed for relative movement, power driven means for building up pressure between said ironing members when moved into engagement and means cooperative to maintain the load substantially constant for al1 ironing operations.

21. In a laundering machine, in combination a plurality of ironing members disposed for relative movement, a motor, means actuated by the motor for building up an ironing pressure between said ironing members when moved into engagement, said means being ada ted to act through the ironing members an means cooperative to limit the load ap lied to the motor.

n testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 6th day of May,

ALLEN S. WISE. 

